The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1887-12-17
A BRAVE GIRL,
Her Wish That Something Might,
and What Did, Happen.

l frSt saw hacnel, as she came DOun
ing over the stony brook, on a hill-sid
one summer afternoon. She was so i.
tent on some purpose that she near
stumbled against me before bein
aware of my presence. Stopping SUI
denly, as she saw me, she would hay
retreated, but | spoke to her, askin
her to sit byme.
Il won't do that" she said; Il kno,
better. You will laugh at my oil
clothes. You grand folks don't lik
poor folks, | know
She stood irresolute as she answere,
me. So l again asked her to sit down
making room on the knoll by my side
What is your name, my little girl?'
! asked.
Rachel Brown, but they call m,
Ray"
We'll, Rachel, why do you come on.
here all alone:a'
What do you come out here for:?'
she asked, bluntly.
"The woods are full of flowers and
birds. and this little brook sings music
ally as it dashes on over rocks, and
plunges down into the ~ravine. on its
way to the ocean. like to come here
and sit ~underthese grand old trees, and
enjoy it all | said. watching the effect
OF my words upon her.
well, | didn't come here for that
sort of things she said, a little
abashed. Il came to see the train come
home with the school excursion. |
wish something would happen, l do
"Why. Rachel, do you know what
your wish means:?n
"Well, | wish something would hap
pen TO me, then. for | don't have any
pleasure. At home, old Mrs. Brown
scolds me, and sometimes beats and
starves me. too, and at school they
pick on me and call me names. | do
wish something would happen!'
isn't Mrs, Brown your mother?:"
"No, she amt. She took ulu. she
when my mother died, and my
went abroad. and she saws She
don't know where he is. So she makes
me work to earn my Twin. and | don't
know what l want to live for, I'm
'Will you tell me Your fathers
name, Rachel, and perhaps l can find
put where he is
Ray looked up with a CLEAN of hun
Try hope in her deep blue eyes, that
betrayed an Imprisoned spirit yearning
Tor release, | resolved to do nv best
.or her, and save her from the wretch
life with Mrs. Brown.
Il don't know what his name is"
went on. Il think it is jim Adams.
# | should ask her she wouldn't tell
But she calls him Jim, and |
know my name is Adams, cause I've
books that have my own name, Rachel
in EN-, and l had EN- fore nv
mother died, and that's all know"
'Nell' Rachel. keep on going to
'chool, and do the best YOU can at
nome for Mrs. Brown. and I'll see what
an be done for YOU
That's just what | sha'n't do. miss.
We made up my mind this morning
lot to go to school, but | do want To
earn dreadful"
This was said with a great sob that
ne girl was evidently ashamed of. for
he burst into an immoderate laugh,
mile real tears were on her cyelashes.I
NE was about to spring away, but /
her.
why do you resolve to leave school,
'achcl?"
because they treat me worse than
llss Brown; for they hain't no right to
all me names, and tell lies about me
0 cover their own doings. They put
ice in the mistress bonnet and bur-
ocks on her shawl. or nettles in her
loves, and then they make believe
hat | did it, and Ray actually looked
he scorn she felt. ! could see she had
mind far above her surroundings, but
hardly knew what to say to her. She
cyan again to give rcasons for leay-
g school: They've all gone to a
Icnlc to-day, and not one OMEN asked
he to 60, teacher nor nobody. Iheard
ne on EN- say: Il suppose that scare
thinks she is going and | come
to see EN- come back. 1t amt
ie'r school more than mine, and they
lnht buy their clothes more than |
mine. It's only they have fathers
nd | hain't."
Her face glowed with passion. We
IN silence a short time, when sud-
enly Rachel gave a cry, and sprang
p. heard the sound also, and look
~ up the hill, we saw a mass of rocks,
earth and twisted roots, crash.
lS on, on; then with a revcrbcrating